| Master of Primary Mathematics (2 years -Full Time) |
General Aims
The programme is intended to provide a holistic learning experience to primary mathematics teachers. The programme aims to offer a rich training ground and experiences for practicing mathematics teachers to enhance their existing pedagogical knowledge and skills. In the process, produce the next generation of teachers sufficiently prepared to teach primary mathematics with creativity, enthusiasm and passion. Therefore, the programme will prepare students with new approaches and strategies for presenting mathematical concepts in relevant, engaging and meaningful ways.
The programme is focused on the enhancement of domain knowledge, educational foundations and research skills. These are intended to raise teachers’ knowledge and competency levels. Consequently, they can help improve the quality of children’s experience with mathematics. Further, it is designed to ensure that students understand the current theories and practices in the pedagogy of primary mathematics. The research component of the programme will develop their ability to implement evidence-based approaches and strategies to address the needs of students.
The outcome will be the development of students who could be accomplished and distinguished in teaching of mathematics (BPST, 2020). Further, they will be able to offer critical perspectives on the primary mathematics curriculum. At the same time, initiate change in classroom practices, provide academic leadership in school, and help build a professional community of mathematics teachers. Thus, these aims align with the standards and expectations laid out for teachers in the Bhutan Professional Standards of Teachers, which seeks to achieve high levels of professional competency for teachers in Bhutan.
Objectives
Upon completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
- examine different learning theories related to primary mathematics.
- discuss the principles and standards for school mathematics.
- examine international best practices in teaching and learning of mathematics in primary schools.
- analyse different types of beliefs teachers hold about mathematics and their implications for primary children’s learning of mathematics.
- integrate ICT in teaching and learning of primary mathematics efficiently.
- connect mathematics with real-life activities to facilitate meaningful learning in the primary classroom.
- apply varied assessment approaches relevant to teaching and learning of mathematics in the primary classroom.
- use various strategies for diagnosing learners’ misconception in mathematics to provide appropriate remediation.
- apply knowledge and skills of research to conduct empirical studies in mathematics.
- explore means of communication in acquiring mathematical structures and delivering mathematical concepts.
- discuss on equity principle and its presence in and relevance to Bhutanese context.
- review the existing primary mathematics curriculum and recommend innovative ideas.
- realize the importance of underlying beliefs about mathematics and its impact in terms of attitude towards students.
- appreciate the multidisciplinary nature of mathematics and enrich their philosophy of the subject.
Programme Structure
| Year | Semester | Modules | |||
| 1 | I | MTA505 Principles and Standards for School Mathematics | MTA506 Mathematics Teaching and Classroom Practices | PSY505 Understanding Learners and Learning | RES506 Educational Research Methods |
| II | EDT504 Digital Pedagogy | MTA507 Educational Statistics | MTA508 Representation as a Learning Strategy in Mathematics | RES507 Educational Research Project | |
| 2 | I | MTA609 Equity Issues in Discourse for Mathematics Education | MTA610 Teaching Numbers and Operations in Primary Mathematics | ASE604 Educational Assessment | |
| II | MTA611 Problem Solving in Primary Mathematics | MTA612 Differentiating Instruction in Mathematics | CUR607 Curriculum Development and Implementation | MTA613 Misconception in Primary Mathematics | |
Admission Criteria
Prospective candidates should fulfill the following criteria.
- Holds a bachelor’s degree with teaching qualification from a university or an institution recognised by the RCSC, and nominated by the Ministry of Education.
- Has a minimum of 5 years of teaching experience and have taught or currently teaching Mathematics at the primary level.
- Has scored a minimum of 50% in competency test administered by the College, which will consist of a written test and an oral interview. The written test will assess the candidate’s analytical ability and language proficiency and it will consist of 2 hours of written test. The oral interview will test the candidate’s aptitude and general proficiency in the subject and it will consist of 25 – 30 minutes.
For Inquiries , you may contact:Mr. Tshewang Tobgay Mr. Karma Yeshey Programme Leader Dean of Academic Affairs B.Ed Primary Email: karmayeshey.pce@rub.edu.bt Email: tshewangtobgay.pce@rub.edu.bt Phone # +975-8-271620 Phone # +975-8-271487 Fee Structure Inquires about tuition fees may be directed to sangaychoden.pce@rub.edu.bt at phone number +975-8-271497 |
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Karma Lhamo, is a Lecturer.Under the leadership of the program leader, she participated to develop modules for Master program in Inclusive Education that Paro College of Education, Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) introduced the first ever full time postgraduate course of Master of Education in Inclusive Education in 2020. She joined the teaching profession in 2002 after graduating from Paro College of Education with English as her elective subject. She taught English literature and language to children from classes 6 till 8. In 2002, she started teaching children with special needs in one of the Special Educational Needs schools in Thimphu (capital of Bhutan) which was identified as the first model school for SEN. After teaching for eleven years, she was transferred to a teacher’s college, Paro College of Education, RUB as a lecturer in 2014. She offered courses such as academic skills modules, English and professional courses both to undergraduate and postgraduate students. She has facilitated several national trainings on inclusive and special education and also have participated in national survey on disability prevelance. Her area of expertise in special education.
Hari Maya Gurung, M.Sc, is a teacher educator. She started to teach in October 1999. She taught in Lower Secondary School and Middle Secondary School for 6 years before joining the Paro College of Education (PCE) in 2007. Since then she has taught undergraduate (B.Ed Primary & B.Ed Secondary) and Diploma students, trained university provosts and other support staffs. She also taught Degree/ undergraduate students (B.Sc Agriculture) of College of Natural Resources for two semesters as an adjunct lecturer. She also has reviewed and written some of the modules for different courses and developed programmes. She has taken active role in the reviewing and writing of the school science curriculum for primary and secondary level. She along with other authors wrote Class X Chemistry text which is currently in use. She taught math and integrated science (sciences) in Samtengang Lower Secondary School in 1999 and Lungtenzampa Middle Secondary School from 1999 to 2005. 
Kinzang Lhendup joined teaching in 1991 after completing his B.Ed from the erstwhile National Institute of Education, Samtse, Bhutan. He specialized in secondary English and Geography. He was posted in Ngangla Junior High School, and in less than six months he was recognized for his potential for leadership and was appointed as the officiating headmaster of the school. He served as the head of three different schools till June 1995 when he was summoned by the Education Ministry to take up the task of coordinating and leading English section of the Curriculum and Professional Support Service Division in the Ministry. It was during that time, in mid-nineties when he identified reading as a niche area for the Education Ministry to work on in order to enhance academic competence of students across the country. Consequently, Supplementary Reading Programme, his own brain-child was conceived and introduced, which is thriving to this day. His keen interest in helping students’ readings skills and literature encouraged him to pursue masters in Library and Information Studies from Dalhousie University in Canada. Kinzang’s strong belief in access to literature as the key to reading development encouraged him to pioneer in automating the libraries in the constituent colleges under the Royal University of Bhutan. He has provided his know-how in the automation of Sherubtse’ College’s library, and did a detailed planning of the existing PCE’s library automation. After serving in the college library for 10 plus years he decided to switch back to teaching, and so pursued his second masters’ degree in Contemplative Education from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, US. Today, Kinzang is experimenting with contemplation, mindful meditation, Buddhist inspired pedagogies in managing classrooms, motivating students.